Now,Tevez tries to do a Rooney

City has already said its vast wealth means clubs,players and agents feel able to demand higher fees and better terms than they would from other sides.

And now there are suggestions its highest paid player is doing the same — in a move reminiscent of Wayne Rooney’s recent standoff with Manchester United over his contract. Less than three weeks before the January transfer window opens,Manchester City said on Sunday that it had refused Tevez’s written request to be sold to another club in what it said was a move motivated by his desire for an improved deal.

“The club remains disappointed by this situation and particularly with the actions of Carlos’ representative,” City said in a statement. “Significantly,over recent months,the club has also received numerous requests from Carlos’ representative to renegotiate and improve his playing contract as well as more recently a request to extend that contract by another year.”

Tevez has 3 1/2 years remaining on the 5-year contract he signed after leaving Manchester United last year. That contradicts widespread media reports that his teammate Yaya Toure attained that status when he signed from Barcelona in July. Tevez and City manager Roberto Mancini exchanged angry words on the touchline against Bolton last week when Tevez was irked by a decision to substitute him for a midfielder.